Thankful.

We love Thanksgiving, so much. But who doesn't love a day full of family and food? This year we spent our Thanksgiving feast with my fam, and desert and shopping with the Reynolds. 

This year, I'm thankful for so many things. I'm thankful for my ginormous family, and for the fact that we managed to get organized for this picture in under 45 mins.

I'm thankful for my 7 aunts and incredible grandma, who are all amazing cooks and know how to prepare large quantities of yummy food.

I'm thankful for my mom, and for her walking me step-by-step over the phone through making my very first homemade pies.

I'm thankful for the many love-filled emails and texts that I received from friends throughout the day yesterday.

I'm thankful for my messy kitchen and sink full of dirty dishes, because it means a stomach and fridge stuffed with good food. 

I'm thankful for my handsome husband and for the fact that he loves me just as much as I love him.

I'm thankful for our free Christmas tree, and for the fact that almost all of the lights are working.

I'm thankful for my in-laws and that they love a good sale just as much as I do, and that I got to spend a straight 12 hours with them today shopping our little hearts out.

I'm thankful for the full load of homework that I've been putting off all week, because it means that I have the opportunity to get an education.

I'm thankful that Justin and I both have good jobs, and that we were able to take a few days off from those jobs to enjoy the holiday.

I'm thankful for my life, and that it is filled with so many blessings. We have incredible families and friends, and a life overflowing with love. 

And I'm thankful for our warm home, and that I can be cuddled up on the couch enjoying a night in with my hubby. Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)

Family photos.

Earlier this year I was able to be part of a wedding photo shoot by the fabulous McKenzie Deakins of Photography by McKenzie. And as a thank you for doing so, McKenzie let me have one free photo shoot...which we used for a Reynolds family photo a couple of weeks ago. Not only is Mckenzie an absolutely incredible photographer, but she is SO much fun to work with and I highly recommend her. Here are some of my favorites!

I adore everything about this picture.

Mama's boys forever.

We love you Ty Guy :)

My favorite Reynolds :) Isn't he handsome?

Thank you Mckenzie...we love them!

"Put a coat on!"

This morning, on my way to school, I pulled into the parking lot of the Marriott Center, and saw a group of men in suits walking out of the back doors. Knowing that President Monson had been there earlier giving the devotional, I stopped my car and let myself hope that that was who they were escorting out of the building. Usually I'm an extremely unlucky person in these situations, so my expectations weren't very high (I've convinced myself 4 times that I've seen Jimmer walk out of that building before, and have yet to meet the kid.) So as soon as I saw this man's face...I freaked.

I immediately threw my car into park, left it running in the middle of the road, and literally ran up to him yelling, "I just want to shake his hand!" He laughed at me, shook my hand, and told me to get a coat on.

The entire scene lasted about 8 seconds, but it made me so happy. That man radiates the spirit, and it hit me like a wall as soon as I was within three feet of him. I immediately started tearing up just looking into his face, and when I got back to my car, I was smiling, shaking, and crying all at the same time.

It may seem like such a small thing, but my experience today increased my testimony of this gospel so much. I feel so blessed to be a part of a religion that believes in latter-day prophets, and I truly do thank God for him :)